Saturday, June 22, 2024

“If we are sincere, we will see the results someday” – Jasamu Dikenang: Farewell to QD Anuar Ismail, 20 June 2024

 




An emotional Farewell session for our head of Sarawak Asset, Haji Anuar. Lots of valuable parting advice. He reminded us to instil three types of culture in our organization: 

1. Culture of Accountability (whether you have done right or wrong, own up to it and take responsibility)

2. Culture of cost-consciousness - always think with VALUE in mind 

3. Culture of Continuous improvement



But by far, my favorite pieces of parting advice is a reminder of ikhlas: be SINCERE in our job.


Many years ago, before his decorated career in oil & gas, he used to work as a teacher.


Recently, the chief of ACP Police came up to him, with a message of gratitude:


"Cikgu pernah ajar kita. Cikgu tak ingat tapi kami ingat"


You have taught us before. You might not remember us, but we remember. 


That little boy that was once his student is now chief of police.


So inspiring 🥲


His takeaway message from this moment:


"Bila buat kerja ikhlas, one day, kita akan nampak hasilnya"


When we do our work sincerely, one day, we WILL see the value of it.


The gathering was filled with words of gratitude and recognition, with one of our GM, head of production Haji B testifying, that QD Anuar consistently demonstrates these 7 Qualities of exemplary leadership:


1. Always giving others credit

2. Welcoming ideas

3. Encouraging growth and supporting it

4. Caring about our well-being and not just our work

5. Values our personal time

6. Leading by example

7. Making tough decisions with compassion

 


Much can be said about his leadership, and indeed I feel blessed to have experienced it firsthand.

But to me, above all that, what stood out to me most was his human touch. One memory that I will always treasure and remember was that he & his family came to our house for Aqiqah gathering of our first child, Muawiyah, back on 25th February 2018.


The birth of Muawiyah was a huge milestone in our family. After 8 years of marriage, Allah gifted us with this boy - and as part of Muslim tradition, we organize the Aqiqah: a feast to celebrate our newborns. The event was a big deal to us; we rarely have big gatherings at our place and we were excited to have friends, family and colleagues over. 


I blasted out invitations to as many contacts as I had. Then came a random wild gamble: why don't I just try inviting the big boss himself - our head of assets, (known as "BD" at the time), Anuar Ismail ?


Of all the managers I invited, none of them came. 

Except for BD Anuar. 


This is one of many of the little things he does that touches our hearts. An extension of his previous parting advice: Sincerity. 


There's a saying "people will forget what you said, they will forget what you did. But they will never forget how you made them feel" 


##


Back in 2018, Alhamdulillah I made it to the final (national) level for Majlis Tilawah Al-Qur'an (MTAQ) PETRONAS, representing team Sarawak. Out of nowhere, I received a personal WhatsApp message from BD himself.


"you have made Sarawak region really proud"


Wow.


I remembered struggling to think of the right words to respond. Out of nowhere, here is this senior GM, head of assets, 5 reporting levels above, sending a personal message to this obscure process engineer. I felt so inspired and touched by that little gesture. 


Human touch, indeed. 


“If we are sincere, we will see the results someday” – Jasamu Dikenang: Farewell to QD Anuar Ismail, 20 June 2024



An emotional Farewell session for our head of Sarawak Asset, Haji Anuar. Lots of valuable parting advice. He reminded us to instil three types of culture in our organization: 

1. Culture of Accountability (whether you have done right or wrong, own up to it and take responsibility)

2. Culture of cost-consciousness - always think with VALUE in mind 

3. Culture of Continuous improvement



But by far, my favorite pieces of parting advice is a reminder of ikhlas: be SINCERE in our job.


Many years ago, before his decorated career in oil & gas,  he used to work as a teacher.


Recently, the chief of ACP Police came up to him, with a message of gratitude:


"Cikgu pernah ajar kita. Cikgu tak ingat tapi kami ingat"


You have taught us before. You might not remember us, but we remember. 


That little boy that was once his student is now chief of police.


So inspiring 🥲


His takeaway message from this moment:


"Bila buat kerja ikhlas, one day, kita akan nampak hasilnya"


When we do our work sincerely, one day, we WILL see the value of it.


The gathering was filled with words of gratitude and recognition, with one of our GM, head of production Haji B testifying, that QD Anuar consistently demonstrates these 7 Qualities of exemplary leadership:


1. Always giving others credit

2. Welcoming ideas

3. Encouraging growth and supporting it

4. Caring about our well-being and not just our work

5. Values our personal time

6. Leading by example

7. Making tough decisions with compassion

 


Much can be said about his leadership, and indeed I feel blessed to have experienced it firsthand.

But to me, above all that, what stood out to me most was his human touch. One memory that I will always treasure and remember was that he & his family came to our house for Aqiqah gathering of our first child, Muawiyah, back on 25th February 2018.


The birth of Muawiyah was a huge milestone in our family. After 8 years of marriage, Allah gifted us with this boy - and as part of Muslim tradition, we organize the Aqiqah: a feast to celebrate our newborns. The event was a big deal to us; we rarely have big gatherings at our place and we were excited to have friends, family and colleagues over. 


I blasted out invitations to as many contacts as I had. Then came a random wild gamble: why don't I just try inviting the big boss himself - our head of assets, (known as "BD" at the time), Anuar Ismail ?


Of all the managers I invited, none of them came. 

Except for BD Anuar. 





Back in 2018, Alhamdulillah I made it to the final (national) level for Majlis Tilawah Al-Qur'an (MTAQ) PETRONAS, representing team Sarawak. Out of nowhere, I received a personal WhatsApp message from BD himself.


"you have made Sarawak region really proud"


Wow.


I remembered struggling to think of the right words to respond. Out of nowhere, here is this senior GM, head of assets, 5 reporting levels above, sending a personal message to this obscure process engineer. I felt so inspired and touched by that little gesture. 


Human touch, indeed. 


These are just some one f many of the little things he does that touches our hearts. An extension of his previous parting advice: Sincerity. 


There's a saying "people will forget what you said, they will forget what you did. But they will never forget how you made them feel" 



May Allah reward your kindness, generosity, and continue granting blessings upon your humility and leadership. 



Wishing you all the best for your future endeavors, in dunya and akhirah 🤲🏼

 

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